The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument on board NASA's NPP satellite acquired its first measurements in November 2011. The data will be used to improve short-term weather forecasts up to 5-7 days in advance, and provide critical information for climate research.
Mathematicians develop new methods to distinguish between knots, leading to the discovery of virtual knots that defy planar representation. These virtual knots give rise to a new branch of knot theory known as generalized knot theory, which emerges as a special case of classical knot theory.
Research reviews firearm injuries and prevention, arguing for including firearm safety in physician-patient conversations to prevent injuries and disease. The practice of asking about guns in the home is found to be meaningful to parents, with 90% of surveyed parents reporting they would share information.
The STACCATO trial found that transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (a-TAVI) may be inferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in operable elderly patients, with a higher risk of death, stroke, and renal failure at 30 days. The study was terminated early due to safety concerns.
A global research team, Nutrient Network (NutNet), has grown to involve over 100 researchers worldwide in six years, using a revolutionary cooperative approach and meta-analysis of existing studies. The team's method has been recognized by Science journal, highlighting its potential for other disciplines.
Researchers found a link between large-scale wind patterns and Kawasaki disease outbreaks in Japan, Hawaii, and San Diego. Wind currents carrying potential infectious agents may be triggering the disease, with seasonal shifts in winds exposing regions to air masses from Central Asia.
A new study found that trees at the edge of Alaska's tundra are growing faster due to a hotter climate, suggesting some forests may be adapting. The added growth is helping the trees thrive in this region, which has experienced rapid warming.
A polymer-based film with remarkable properties has been developed, offering a potential replacement for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) in touch-screen devices and flat panel displays. The film is highly transparent, electrically conductive, economical, and flexible.
Researchers at Empa have successfully designed a molecule with four rotating motor units that can travel straight ahead in a controlled manner. The smallest electric car in the world, measuring approximately 4x2 nanometres, requires refueling with electricity after every half revolution of its wheels.
A new study funded by the NIH shows that wood stoves with chimneys can lower exposure to indoor wood smoke and reduce severe pneumonia cases in children less than 18 months old. The study found a significant reduction of 30% in severe childhood pneumonia, which is attributed to reduced carbon monoxide exposure levels.
A University of Houston physicist is part of a multi-institution team that has received an $18.5 million grant to develop new solar power technologies. The center aims to accelerate the US's commercialization of solar energy through cutting-edge research and partnerships with industry.
New research at MIT's Alcator C-Mod tokamak provides insight into the transport of impurities in fusion plasmas, a crucial step towards improving reactor performance. By tracking impurities using high-resolution spectrometry and computer simulations, scientists aim to develop more accurate models for predicting impurity behavior.
Researchers in Italy have compiled a comprehensive summary of the country's native conehead insect species, Protura. They identified 40 species, including six new records for the Italian fauna, shedding light on their ecological role in organic matter degradation and nutrient recycling.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that young children treated at home for severe pneumonia by lady health workers had better outcomes compared to those referred to hospitals. Home-based treatment reduced treatment delays and failures, saving thousands of children's lives annually.
University of Utah researchers are using the Doppler on Wheels radar truck to study eight to 10 snow and rain storms during its time in Utah. The truck's radar system provides detailed information on the size and shape of snowflakes, lake-effect snow patterns, and other storm characteristics.
Researchers have developed a method to design drugs that can target specific areas of the brain by selectively blocking subtype SK channels. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for dementia and depression by enhancing nerve activity in specific nerves.
A team of scientists found that increasing lithium coating in the wall of an experimental fusion reactor greatly improves plasma confinement. This leads to smaller and cheaper fusion machines. The study also enhances certain plasma properties aiding the reaction.
A new study finds that a fetus can sense its mother's mental state through chemical signals. The baby develops better when the environment is consistent before and after birth. Inconsistent conditions, such as a mother going from depressed to healthy or vice versa, slow down fetal development.
Researchers at Georgia Tech, with support from DARPA and other organizations, are developing a suite of algorithms to identify insider threats in large datasets. The system, called ADAMS, will analyze email, text messages, and file transfers for unusual activity, providing analysts a short list of unexplained events to investigate.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a high-tech waterproof coating inspired by the unique texture of the Brazilian fern Salvinia molesta. The coating performs similarly to the plant's hairy surface, which traps air and provides stability in water.
Researchers identified increased sensitivity to pain stimuli, altered heart rate responses, and genetic variations in patients with chronic TMJD. The study also found that socio-economic status does not correlate with TMJD incidence, contrasting with other chronic pain conditions.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have identified parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) as a key player in breast cancer progression and metastasis. The study found that blocking PTHrP production can reduce tumor growth by 80-90% and prevent its spread to other organs.
A community-based care coordination approach combining evidence-based science and asthma education has shown improvements in health outcomes, particularly among low-income and minority children. The program demonstrated reductions in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, as well as increased parent empowerment and environmental t...
A recent study found that primary care providers (PCPs) fail to report a significant number of suspected child abuse cases. The researchers validated the PCPs' decisions using expert review and provider self-assessment, revealing a high sensitivity but low reporting rate. The study highlights the need for improved education on recogniz...
A research team at NIST has identified the genetic structure of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV), which may play a critical role in its reproduction. This discovery could lead to new approaches for interfering with the replication of these viruses, potentially mitigating the effects of ISAV on the aquaculture industry.
An international research team, led by Jason Stajich, is sequencing 1000 fungal genomes to improve understanding of their role in ecosystems and human affairs. The '1000 Fungal Genomes' project aims to fill gaps in the Fungal Tree of Life and provide a foundation for interpreting how fungi adapt to their environments.
A recent study found that home nursing visits are as safe and effective as office-based care for initial post-delivery well-baby check-ups, reducing the risk of missed appointments. Home visits also provide modest benefits, including increased breastfeeding rates and maternal confidence in parenting skills.
Researchers developed a new anti-obesity medication that targets fat cells, reducing body weight and abdominal circumference in rhesus monkeys. The treatment showed promise in improving insulin resistance and reversing metabolic syndrome, potentially providing a non-surgical solution to obesity.
A new brain-imaging study by UCLA life scientists reveals that providing support to a loved one offers health benefits to the giver. The study found that women who gave support to their boyfriends in pain showed increased activity in reward-related regions of the brain, including the ventral striatum and septal area.
A new study found that autism diagnoses vary significantly across different clinical centers, with varying use of subcategories like Asperger syndrome. The research suggests that a more standardized approach to diagnosing autism spectrum disorders would provide more accurate and consistent information about individual patients.
The BRIDGE trial shows cangrelor provides effective maintenance of platelet inhibition with no apparent increase in major bleeding, but numerically higher rates of minor bleeding prior to surgery. Researchers found the investigational drug cangrelor could serve as a 'bridge' between discontinuing thienopyridines and surgery.
The 2011 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored journalists Mark Johnson and Kathleen Gallagher for their compelling series on the use of genetic analysis to find the cause of an unknown disease. The awards also recognized Christine Peterson, Kerry Huller, and Wes Watson of the Casper Star-Tribune for their series on the shrinkin...
Former football players experience cognitive difficulties and worse physical and mental health compared to non-athletes. Adopting healthy dietary habits and regular exercise can help mitigate these effects, according to a University of Missouri study.
A study co-authored by University of Leicester expert identifies key genetic mechanisms controlling blood pressure, including two microRNAs that regulate renin hormone production. This breakthrough could lead to innovative new treatments for high blood pressure.
Researchers found that interviewers recalled less information about candidates with facial blemishes, leading to decreased evaluations. This study aims to raise awareness about workplace discrimination against individuals with facial stigmas.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that electroencephalography (EEG) can detect awareness in people previously thought to be in a permanently vegetative state. Three out of 16 patients showed repetitive and reliable EEG responses to commands, indicating covert awareness despite being behaviorally unresponsive.
A recent report provides new ideas on the carbon and energy benefits of forests and forest products. Sustainably managed forests can store and substitute carbon, while forest biomass-based energy uses less stored carbon, reducing fossil fuel emissions.
A NASA-developed nanotech-based coating absorbs on average more than 99 percent of ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and far-infrared light, making it useful for suppressing stray light in space instruments. This material can help scientists gather hard-to-obtain measurements of distant objects without interference from background light.
A multidisciplinary team will deploy to Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica to measure the shape of the cavity underneath the ice shelf and determine how warm ocean water interacts with it. The goal is to understand why the glacier is accelerating and contributing to sea-level rise.
A University of Leicester study found that individuals with extreme antisocial personality are more likely to join gangs. Gangs provide a sense of belonging and acceptance for these individuals, who struggle with social connections due to their behavior.
A new international health survey found that chronically ill US adults who received care from a medical home were less likely to report medical errors and had better relationships with their doctors. In contrast, the US stood out for having the highest rates of cost-related access problems and medical bill burdens.
A new University of Houston study aims to reduce excessive alcohol use among college students by changing perceptions of peer drinking behavior. The five-year, $2.8 million NIH-funded research study will collect campus-wide norms and provide personalized normative feedback to help students understand their own drinking habits.
Researchers investigate rodent scent signals to monitor and manipulate behaviour for better control of destructive rodents. The study aims to develop more efficient ways of targeting rodents while improving humaneness of control methods.
A study of over 2,300 older Americans found that those under financial strain were at risk of boosting their drinking, especially men and those with less education. In contrast, older women tended to cut down on drinking when facing financial hard times.
Research found that women adapt their brain function to recover from facial paralysis better than men, with improved spontaneous smile recovery and longer functional recovery periods. The study, involving 114 patients, highlights the relevance of patient gender in planning facial paralysis reconstruction strategies.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that cooperative interactions between reviewers and authors increase reviewing accuracy, with a 13% rise in accuracy under open review models. Reviewers and authors who participated in these interactions had an 11% higher accuracy rate.
Researchers have provided the first ever map of the genes that determine how bacteria interact with their surrounding environment. The study reveals critical genetic secrets of a bacterium that holds potential for removing toxic and radioactive waste from the environment.
Dr. David Llewellyn has been awarded a two-year grant to investigate the link between low vitamin D levels and increased risk of dementia. His research aims to identify vitamin D as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for preventing and treating the disease.
A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that children are most physically active on long summer days, with daylight being the key factor. The researchers suggest that moving clocks forward all year round could be an effective way to promote child physical activity.
Scientists propose a novel mechanism for generating a magnetic field on the moon, driven by physical stirring of the liquid core. The 'geodynamo' could have operated for at least a billion years, explaining the presence of magnetized rocks and making predictions about the strength of the field over time.
A new aerial robot system developed by University of Cincinnati researchers can provide real-time information about wildfire locations and movements, helping firefighters make informed decisions. The system, known as SIERRA, has been tested in West Virginia with a small fire and showed promising results.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced the winners of its 2011 Community Health Leaders Award, recognizing 10 individuals who are improving the health and quality of life for disadvantaged communities. The recipients include Jamie Boyd, Naomi Cottoms, Lisanne Finston, Zane Gates, and others, who have overcome daunting odds to pro...
Scientists have created a fast and reliable test to detect ciguatoxin, the primary cause of ciguatera food poisoning. The new test uses standard laboratory instruments and has been proven effective in identifying 16 different forms of the toxin in fish from the Pacific Ocean.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new active metamaterial that demonstrates both power gain and negative refraction properties. This breakthrough enables the potential for high-performance microwave circuits and antennas with improved wireless communication and sensing capabilities.
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University found that helping others in 12-step programs significantly improves adolescent treatment response, reducing cravings for alcohol and drugs. The study also highlights the influence of religious practices on treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a single receptor essential for the malaria parasite to invade human red blood cells, offering a promising new focus for vaccine development. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of an effective malaria vaccine that targets this universal entry pathway.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict justice's votes, outperforming legal expert forecasts and case content algorithms. The study found decreasing court predictability over the Warren-Rehnquist era and lower predictability during Democratic presidencies.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that US FDA testing of imported seafood is inadequate, with only 2% of imports tested, compared to 15-50% in EU, Japan, and Canada. This lack of inspection may lead to adverse health consequences due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A new video game aims to improve middle school students' computer science knowledge, addressing a shortage of skilled workers in the field. The project, funded by $1 million from NSF, incorporates engaging elements to attract girls and other underrepresented groups.
A long-term study of VIVITROL, a medication for opioid dependence, found sustained efficacy over 18 months in patients who received the treatment in combination with psychosocial support. The study showed improvements in opioid-free urine screens and reductions in opioid craving.